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The President of the United States
in the name of the Congress
takes pride in presenting the
MEDAL OF HONOR
posthumously to
Ralph Ellis Dias
Private First Class
United States Marine Corps
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
As a member of a reaction force which was pinned down by enemy fire while assisting a platoon in the same circumstance, PFC Dias, observing that both units were sustaining casualties, initiated an aggressive assault against an enemy machinegun bunker which was the principal source of hostile fire. Severely wounded by enemy snipers while charging across the open area, he pulled himself to the shelter of a nearby rock. Braving enemy fire for a second time, PFC Dias was again wounded. Unable to walk, he crawled 15 meters to the protection of a rock located near his objective and, repeatedly exposing himself to intense hostile fire, unsuccessfully threw several hand grenades at the machinegun emplacement. Still determined to destroy the emplacement, PFC Dias again moved into the open and was wounded a third time by sniper fire. As he threw a last grenade which destroyed the enemy position, he was mortally wounded by another enemy round. PFC Dias' indomitable courage, dynamic initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service to his country.

On 12 November 1969 a patrol from 3rd Platoon, Delta 1/7 Marines encountered a dug-in NVA company on the north-facing slopes of the Que Son Mountains south of An Hoa. The Marines were caught in the open and were pinned in place by mortar and machinegun fire, taking cover in bomb craters and amongst the stubble of dry rice paddies. Air support was called in to help the infantrymen.
The infantrymen were able to break contact, but one of the supporting Cobra gunships was shot down and four of the infantry were killed by hostile fire. The size men were
D Co, 1st Bn, 7th Marines
LCpl Robert B. Hamblett, Roanoke, VA (Silver Star)
Pfc Ralph E. Dias, Shelocta, PA (Medal of Honor)
Pfc Carl Henderson, Philadelphia, PA
Pfc Jerome Higgins, Springfield, OH (Silver Star)
AH-1G tail number 68-15080, VMO-2
Major Howard B. Henry, Baltimore, MD (Silver Star)
1stLt Joseph A. Lofton, Akron, OH

Thank you Marine for your service to this great Nation and to our Corps

THE WALL
Standing here in front of the Wall silently reading your name solemnly I thank you one and all Each of you different, yet the same
The list seems forever endless but I remember your faces you made the supreme sacrifice, I confess as I walk slowly with measured paces
Each one of you answered the call willingly or not, you gave your lives Rest easy, my Brothers - heroes all The Nation still survives
"War drew us from our homeland
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always."
--- Author Unknown ---
God Bless You

To My Dearest Family

To My Dearest Family
Some things I'd like to say, but first of all to let you know that I arrived okay I'm writing this from Heaven where I dwell with God above where there's no more tears or sadness there is just eternal love Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night That day I had to leave you when my life on Earth was through God picked me up and hugged me and He said I welcome you It's good to have you back again you were missed while you were gone as for your dearest family they'll be here later on I need you here so badly as part of My big plan there's so much that we have to do to help our mortal man Then God gave me a list of things He wished for me to do and foremost on that list of mine is to watch and care for you And I will be beside you every day and week and year and when you're sad I'm standing there to wipe away the tear And when you lie in bed at night the days chores put to flight God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night When you think of my life on Earth and all those loving years because you're only human they are bound to bring you tears But do not be afraid to cry it does relieve the pain remember there would be no flowers unless there was some rain I wish that I could tell you of all that God has planned but if I were to tell you you wouldn't understand But one thing is for certain though my life on Earth is o're I am closer to you now than I ever was before And to my very many friends trust God knows what is best I'm still not far away from you I'm just beyond the crest There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb but together we can do it taking one day at a time It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too that as you give unto the World so the World will give to you If you can help somebody who is in sorrow or in pain then you can say to God at night my day was not in vain And now I am contented that my life it was worthwhile knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile So if you meet somebody who is down and feeling low just lend a hand to pick him up as on your way you go When you are walking down the street and you've got me on your mind I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind And when you feel the gentle breeze or the wind upon your face that's me giving you a great big hug or just a soft embrace And when it's time for you to go from that body to be free remember you're not going you are coming here to me And I will always love you from that land way up above Will be in touch again soon P.S. God sends His Love

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class Ralph Ellis Dias, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 12 November 1969, while serving with Company D, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Que Son Mountain, Republic of Vietnam. As a member of a reaction force which was pinned down by enemy fire while assisting a platoon in the same circumstance, Private First Class Dias, observing that both units were sustaining casualties, initiated an aggressive assault against an enemy machinegun bunker which was the principal source of hostile fire. Severely wounded by enemy snipers while charging across the open area, he pulled himself to the shelter of a nearby rock. Braving enemy fire for a second time, Private First Class Dias was again wounded. Unable to walk, he crawled 15 meters to the protection of a rock located near his objective and, repeatedly exposing himself to intense hostile fire, unsuccessfully threw several hand grenades at the machinegun emplacement. Still determined to destroy the emplacement, Private First Class Dias again moved into the open and was wounded a third time by sniper fire. As he threw a last grenade which destroyed the enemy position, he was mortally wounded by another enemy round. Private First Class Dias' indomitable courage, dynamic initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service to his country.